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Are you interested in deepening your understanding of prayer, theology and scripture? Do you enjoy leading others through spiritual direction? Beginning this summer, Fairfield University now offers a certificate program in Directing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, a cornerstone of Jesuit educational formation.

The Spiritual Exercises are a compilation of meditations, prayers and contemplative practices developed by St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), the religious order of priests who have founded schools around the world for more than 450 years. They are designed to help people deepen their relationship with God. Though originally given as a month-long retreat, they are now used as a program for laypeople who are helped in their spiritual journey through meeting with a spiritual director. The new certificate program will train those who wish to serve as spiritual directors.

The Fairfield-based program offers supervision and a practicum in a prayerful, reflective learning environment. Participants will study the Exercises and the act of discernment, as well as a variety of Christian prayer modes and Ignatian practices. The structure will be as follows:

A four-week summer residency on theory and practice at Fairfield University (Sunday, July 1 through Thursday, July 26, 2012)

A three-week summer residency program on theory and practice at Fairfield (July 2013)

The core faculty, facilitators and supervisors for the program include Fairfield professors and faculty from Loyola University Maryland, Boston College School of Theology & Ministry, and The Jesuit Collaborative, which is collaborating with Fairfield on this initiative.

Participants must have completed the 30-day or '19th Annotation' retreat and be involved in ongoing spiritual direction.

The cost is $7,500, which includes a room at Fairfield during the residencies. For moreinformation, contact Elizabeth Hastings, ehastings@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2688.